The removable liner, more venting and built in sunshade are what I asked for.

Keep it light, keep it quiet, do NOT change the shape or size and don't raise the price too much. If it uses the old style shield (which it won't) I'd be even more pumped as I have a bunch of them already.

I've just tried the Neotec on at the NEC bike show here in the UK, and have been a Multitec user for the last 3 years.

Observations:

1) It looks a lot sleeker than the Multitec. I have always been quite shocked how bulky the multitec looks in photos but this looks a lot slimmer, particularly around the jaw line.

2) The sun visor is awesome. I had been looking towards buying a Schuberth but this ticks all the boxes. It comes down enough to block the sunshine without sitting on your nose and the side mounted controls are easy to use. The visor retracts up between the shell and the EPS liner meaning you won;t have it embedded in your head if you have an off.

3) The micro ratchet chin strap looks fine. I'm not sure whether I would say it is a step up, just different.

4) Overall the helmet seemed lighter than my multitec but I didn't have it up there to compare. Noise reduction is 45% over the multitec apparently which is excellent.

5) The chin ventilation bar is a push to activate and MUCH easier than the up/down slider on the multitec. In the same vein, the top ventilation seems well thought out and isn't blocked when you have the visor up.

6) All locking systems to keep the chin bar down are now stainless steel in response to the mixed review that the SHARP people gave the multitec in the UK.

7) Price was quoted at being around £420 in the UK which translates to around $670. SHould be out in the UK around March/April.

8) The pinlock seems to be considerably bigger than the current one. I'm not sure whether the visor itself is larger but the pinlock will be a lot less visible and goes right to the edge virtually.

I've just tried the Neotec on at the NEC bike show here in the UK, and have been a Multitec user for the last 3 years.

Observations:

1) It looks a lot sleeker than the Multitec. I have always been quite shocked how bulky the multitec looks in photos but this looks a lot slimmer, particularly around the jaw line.

2) The sun visor is awesome. I had been looking towards buying a Schuberth but this ticks all the boxes. It comes down enough to block the sunshine without sitting on your nose and the side mounted controls are easy to use. The visor retracts up between the shell and the EPS liner meaning you won;t have it embedded in your head if you have an off.

3) The micro ratchet chin strap looks fine. I'm not sure whether I would say it is a step up, just different.

4) Overall the helmet seemed lighter than my multitec but I didn't have it up there to compare. Noise reduction is 45% over the multitec apparently which is excellent.

5) The chin ventilation bar is a push to activate and MUCH easier than the up/down slider on the multitec. In the same vein, the top ventilation seems well thought out and isn't blocked when you have the visor up.

6) All locking systems to keep the chin bar down are now stainless steel in response to the mixed review that the SHARP people gave the multitec in the UK.

7) Price was quoted at being around £420 in the UK which translates to around $670. SHould be out in the UK around March/April.

8) The pinlock seems to be considerably bigger than the current one. I'm not sure whether the visor itself is larger but the pinlock will be a lot less visible and goes right to the edge virtually.

9) I will be ordering one as soon as they come out!

Good review, thanks! Did you think the sizing and fit were similar to the Multitec?

The question was raised about safely attaching a helmet to a bike's helmet lock with a "ratchet latch" as opposed to a D-ring type. Below is what I use, after seeing something similar, somewhere. I used stainless steel to make this one and then coated it with multiple coats of "Plasti-Dip" spray from NAPA to keep it from causing scratches and paint dings. I leave it on the bike helmet latch on my bike(s) so it's always there when I need it.

I've just tried the Neotec on at the NEC bike show here in the UK, and have been a Multitec user for the last 3 years.

7) Price was quoted at being around £420 in the UK which translates to around $670. SHould be out in the UK around March/April.

I was also at the NEC and was informed by 2 Shoei staff that the price will be £470 ($730) and in the shops in the UK from the beginning of March. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Whatever the price, £420 or £470, it's bloody expensive.